Aerial sign



Vl C.KEENER July 11, 1933.

AERIAL SIGN Filed Feb. 27, 1933 2'SheetS-Sheet l /zlllllllllllllllll/l1111111111114 I l 4 4 July 11, 1933. w Q KEENER 1,917,978

AERIAL SIGN Filed Feb. 27. 19375 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 11, 1933 UNITED STATES WENDELL c. KEENEP., or' PRINCETON, iLLrnois AERIAL SIGN Application led February 27, 1933. ,Serial No. 658,697.

This invention has reference to aerial signs. The invention has forrits princi-pal object to provide anaerialsign of self buoyant type. The invention has for a `further object to I`5 provide a sign of 'the character referred to wherein there is included one or a plurality of buoyant containers having the outline of .or defining letters, characters, symbols Vor the like, `:each of which has assoc-iatedand suitably supported in connection therewith, and as a. facingtherefo, a light and comparatively riO'id structural shape defining a like letter, character 'or symbol as` that defined bysuch buoyant container or containers.

A further object of the .invention is :to provide for the illumination of the outlines of said sign, during periods of dark-ness, by providing one or more of the same with an .illuminating means corresponding -toeach of the said letters, characters or symbols, and `preferably recessing said illuminating means within said structural shapes.

t is a further lobject of the invention to prov-idethe illuminating means in color, if desired, or illuminate with a white `light and provide the structural shapes with colored reflecting surfaces, and when :using a-colored illuminating means, :said structural shapes may be provided with reflecting surfaces in color or not, as may bedesired. Y p

It is a further object `of the invention to provide a light and-rigid frame work for .the assembly of the elements of the sign into a unitary structure, f`fi rlhe invention has for a still further obj ect the provision of supplemental buoyant means to that of the buoyant letters, characters, or symbols forming said sign.

Additional objects of :the invention, attained through the provision and use of a preferred construct-ion, embodying the :tundamental principles of the invention previously set forth, are the special positioning of the device in its aerial location, whereby 13 the face thereof is angularly disposed with reference to fthe ground to-facilitate reading or viewing of :the same; lthe g-iving of the f units (letters or characters and buoyant bodies secured tothe Vrear faces thereof(` `and 51) coincident `in voutline therewith to present in 4effect rearward extensionsthereo'f) very substantial depth to Vgive the appearance of block letters or characters, and in the instance of night illumination, creating the elect of ,55 bodies shadingto.nothingness away Jfrom the brilliant face of the deviceor, stated dilerently, giving the optical illusion of letters or characters projected out of remote regions to the point of the illuminated face; the permitting oiga slight sway of the individual buoyant rear extension ofeach letter or character, While holding the latter in rigid relationship with companion letters or characters so that by reason of such iiXed vrelationship a clear reading is assured while at the same time slight movement or sway ofthe buoyant extensions will vcreate the optical impression on the reader that leac-h character or letter is projected or suspended alone and independently of the others.

v Other and further objects will more fully appear from the following description.-A

That the invention may be more fully understood reference is had to the accompanying drawings -formingpart of this description illustrating a ,preferred ,embodiment or' the invention, in which .y

` Fig. lis a face View of a sign embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. l, parts of two lof certain of the lbuoyant containers being broken away; p

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section as the fsame would be if taken on the line 3 3,

Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-section as the same would appear if taken on the line 4-V-4, Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a face view .of asign corresponding lto Fig. vl and `showing one form of supplemental buoyant means applied to the otherwise complete devicefof Fig. l, part therelof broken away;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 .showing a modified form of the supplemental buoyant means,and v y p Fig. .7 4is a viewislmilar `to Fig.5 showing a vfurther lmodified form of the supplemental buoyant means.

Y Linke characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout Athe igures.

lnthefdrawings lIhaveshown a sign which exhibits Ythe name, of an incorporated company, -which is merely illustrativeof one manner and Viorm in which a display .sign

,may be used, Aand it will be apparent from ,this disclosure that words or vphrases may be spelled out so as to be visible to 'those that read `the message or information which is intended to be conveyed .by .the sign. g There is no limitation as to the character of the advertising matter or information which may be displayed or the extent of such advertising matter, as the sign may be made of any suitable size to fit the occasion for which it is intended to be used. Furthermore, the sign may have embodied therein any letter or letters and likewise any character or characters and even in the form of symbols or designs, monograms, trademarks, trade-names, abbreviations of any such, and in fact, any character of indicia.

Since each and all of the characters or letters employed in the sign are substantial replicas of each other,'in so far as general structure is concerned, with the exception of their characteristics which define them as distinct and individual characters or letters of reference, it is thought 'that the description of onewill'suffice for all, without repetition of detailed description.

1 designates a bag, container or receptacle of any suitable light weight material designed for being inflated with hydrogen, helium or other relatively light gas, such as is usually employed in aerial devices for making them buoyant, whereby the same may be maintained in elevated position. A suitable nipple or valve 2 being provided at an accessible point whereby to permit the ingress or egress of the sustaining gaseous medium into and from the receptacle. This bag, container or receptacle is not only hollow in form, as is obvious, but also embodies or defines the outline of some. predetermined character, letter, symbol or the like; as for example, any of the individual letters shown in Fig. l, and more particularly shown in cross section in Fig. 4, or any other designating character.

Associated with the bag, container or receptacle l, in the composite structure, isa

structural shape 3 which embodies or defines a similar designating character as that of such bag, container or receptacle and is so associated Y therewith as to present and provide a facing therefor. This structural shape is preferably made of a light, rigid material.

The structural shape 3 is preferably of box-like formation and formed with a continuous outline wall or walls 4 whereby to indicate a definite designation, such as a letter, character or the like and is also provided with a rear wall 5 and an open face 6 and thereby provides a recess within the shape and of like designating character therewith.l The inner surfaces of the walls 4 and 5, singly or together, may or may not be burnished or polished or treated in any manner to provide reflecting surfaces or they may be coated byapplying. thereto any suitable coloring matter or coating.

Associated with each shape 3 is a suitable illuminating device 7 which preferably embodies or defines the outline of the shape 3. In its preferred form, this illuminating device is located within the recess formed by the shape 3 and is protected by the wall or ywalls 4. I also prefer to provide a resilient support or supports 8 for the illuminating device, within the shape 3 which act to protect such illuminating device from undue shock, vibration, etc. i

In the drawings, I have preferably shown the illuminating device of the type generally known as the Neon tube but it is to be understood that any other form or type of illuminating device suitable for the purpose may be used.V Such illuminating device may be provided in colors as occasion or practice may require or be deemed desirable.

The elements l, 3 and 7, which form a composite structure, may be so designed that they constitute the unitary element of the sign, and yet it is obvious, that such unitary elements may be arranged in series, and of whatever character suitable for the purpose, so that when assembled as a completesign may display the sign John Doe Inc. as disclosed in Fig. l, or in any other suitable arrangement as may be desired.

It will be observed, from the inspection of Figs. 2 and 3, that each unitary element (including parts l, 3 and 7) is of very substantial depth from face to rear, and that the letter or character 3 7 constituting the face is comparatively thin or ,shallow while the main body portion comprisingthe buoyantmember l is relatively deep. This has many substantial advantages. The latter when inflated is coincident, marginally inside and outside, with the letter or character to give body or vblock appearance to the same, thus enabling the basic necessity for a large gas body of abundant capacity to be met without marring or tending'to obscure'the matter to be de picted. Also, attending the rearward enlargement or' extension of the bouyant body Yof each letter or character other highly important features are developed. In the case of illumination of the face letter or character' at night the effect will be that the sam-e is shaded off from the face to the rear or conversely that the letters come out of the darkness and flare or diverge to the illuminated face thereof. Furthermore, by reason of the fact that the buoyant body of each letter or character unit is fastened to the back thereof, only, and the confining framework permitting slight sway ofthe buoyant body laterally in the framework, the letters or characters will to the eye appear as independently suspended while as a matter of fact the letter or character faces will be positively and rigidly held in relative position to insure perfect sight or reading thereof.

As an embracing and supporting structure for one or more of the composite elements, I preferably provide a skeleton structure comprising the straps or bands 9 of some light and rigid material lwhich preferably are secured by suitable means to the .top Aand bottom walls of the shape or shapes .3, and secured to said straps lor :bands 9, in some suitable Imanner, are stra-peor bands 10 which eXtendrear.- wardly `from the shape or shapes 3 and :then transversely to the rear ofone or =moreofthe composite elements whereby tto act as a conlining and stabilizing means for the receptacle or Ireceptacles l, and suchconfining lmeans is supplemented by lthe additional .straps or bands l1 which overlie and underlie such receptacle or receptacles 1 and are suitably secured at-their intersections with the band or bands l0, inthe manner shown. As will be obvious, the skeleton `frame structure just ldescribed will conform .to the height, length and width of the sign when composed of one or mo-re of the compositeelements which include these designated 1,53 and 7.

In the .use of .the sign, guy cables designated .12, which are connected with the straps or bands l9 included in the skeleton frame, may be employed in vconnection with some suitable operating means forcontrolling the sign and for returning the same to the ground; also, and while not shown, it is of course obvious, that some suitable conduit or wiring or other suitable electrical connections in communication with a source of electric current may be vemployed to convey such current to the illuminating means 3. When such vill-uminating means is arranged in series, it is of course understood, that they will be suitably connected for illuminating the same.

By fastening the guy cable to the strips i or bands 9, as stated, it will be noted that the anchoring of the rdevice is at a point well forwardly thereof, that is, in advance vof the rearwardly projecting buoyant extensions of the letters or characters. The operating result will therefore be that when the device soars and the cables become taut, the ascension of, the rear portion of the device'comprising in the main the 'buoyant bodies, will tilt or position the face of the device at -an inclination to the ground, and thereby facilitate the view -or reading thereof from points distant from the immediate location in which the device is held by the cables.

Referring to Figs. 5,16 and 7, I show modified formsof supplemental buoyant means to be used in 4conjunction with the sign structure heretofore described and as illustrated in Figs. 1,2 and 8 of the drawings. In each instance, this supplemental buoyant means comprises va bag, container or receptacle of any suitable light weight mate-rial designed for being inflated with hydrogen, helium or other relatively light gas. In F ig.`5 this supplemental buoyant means is designated 13 and is shown superimposed in immediate engagement on the upper part ofthe sign strucztu-re f1, or 1 '3 and Aimmediately underlying the sign structure. Being immediately applied to the-signzstructure .itfmaybe supported, secured, connected to or associated in suitable manner therewith and such .supplemental buoyantmeans lmayconstitute separateor individualelements. y Y.

1The supplemental ybuoyant means as disclosed in Fig. 6 vis designated 14C and in -addition to `overlying and underlying the sign structure il, or '1 -3 andbeing in immediate `association therewith is also applied Yto the ends of -thesign, so that such supplemental means appears as wholly embracing the sign.

In Fig. 7, the supplemental buoyant means is designated l5 and isshown as being only associated with the sign structure 1,or l-S i-nsuperimposed relation thereon.` Y

In the preferred structure vof the sign the bags, containers or receptacles l will be so designed and constructed that they will support ,each their own weight and plus the additional weight of the structural shapes 3 and associated parts, as well as the skeleton frame and connected elements well within the safety factor which maybe `required in a sign of thischaracter.v lVhen necessary or when it may be -deemed advisable or expedient, the supplemental buoyant mea-ns described, may be employed so that the total sum of the surface lift of the buoyant means will equal enough lifting power to support thenecessaryequipment employed in the sign, while at the same time have sufficient excess lifting power to guaranteethe satisfactory operation of Vthe sign.

l/Vhat I cla-im is:

such shape forming aV backing therefor and having the outline of such shape, means to inflate such buoyant means, illuminating means supported by such shape adapted for the illumination of the outlines thereof, and

means to `connect multiple composite shapes in series.A y

3. An aerial sign of the buoyant type, in combination, a shape of box-'like formation provided with a recess therewithin formed of light rigid material, a buoyant means for supporting such shape forming a backing therefor and having theoutline .of such shape, means to inflate such buoyant means, illuminating means supportedby such shape and located within the recess thereof `adapted for` the illumination of the outlines thereof, and

.1. An aerial .sign of the buoyant type, in

means to connect multiplecomposite shapes in series.

4l. An aerial sign lof the buoyant type, in combination, a shape formed of light rigid material of designation formation, provided with a rear light reflecting Wall and an open face, a buoyant means for supporting such shape forming a baclingtherefor and having the outline of such shape, means to inflate suoli buoyant means, illuminating means supported by such shape in association with said rear light reflecting Wall adapted forthe illumination of the outlines thereof, and means to connect multiple shapes in series.

5. An aerial sign of the buoyant type, in combination, aY shape formed of light rigid material of designation formation, comprising a continuous outline Wall or Walls forming a recess therewithin, said Wall or Walls of the recess providing light reflect-ing surfaces.l

va buoyant means for supporting such shape forming a backing therefor and having the outline of such shape, meansto inflate such buoyant means, illuminating means supported by such shape and located Within the recess thereofadapted for the illumination of the outline thereof, and means to connect multiple composite shapes in series.

6. An aerial sign of the buoyanttype, in combination, ashape formed'of light rigid material, a buoyant means of substantial depth for supporting such shape forming a backing therefor and having the outline of such shape thereby constituting a composite structure, means to inflate such buo ycani;` means, means to rigidly connect a composite structure in series, and an embracing and supporting structure comprising a frame Work associated With such y composite structure whereby` to act as a confining and stabilizing means for said buoyant means.

l T. An aerial sign of the buoyant type, in combination, a shape formed of light rigid material, a buoyant means for supporting such shape forming a backing therefor and havingthe outline of such shape thereby constituting'a composite structure, means to inflate such buoyant means, illuminating means supported by such shape adapted for the illamination of the outlines thereof, means to connect said composite structure in series, and an embracing' and supporting structure comprising a frame Work associated With such composite structure whereby to act as a conlining and stabilizing means for said buoyant means.

8. An aerial sign of the buoyant type,.in combination, a shape formed of light rigid material, a buoyant means for supporting such shape forming a backing therefor and having the outline of such shape, means to inllate such buoyant means, means to connect composite shapes in series and a supplemental buoyant means in immediate association With said` sign.

9. An aerial sign of the buoyant type, in combination, an inflatable container, said container interiorly and exteriorly defining a character, and a structural shape in association with said container and providing a facing therefor, said shape similarly interiorly and exterior-ly defining a character correspon-ding to that defined by the container whereby outline and interior spaces are aligned.

l0. An aerial sign of thebuoyant type, in combination, an inflatable container of substantial depth, said container defining a character, a structural shape in association with said container and providing afaoing therefor, saidV shape defining a character corresponding to that defined by the container, an illuminating means associated With said shape and means for assembling a plurality of such associated containers and shapes With the latter in rigid association, whereby to provide a sign displaying indicia.

1l. An a-erial sign of the buoyant type, in combination, an inflatable container, said container defining a character, a structural shape in association With said container and providing a facing therefor, said shape defining a character corresponding to that defined by the container, an illuminating means associated With said shape, means for as-y sembling a plurality of such associated containers and shapes whereby to provide a sign displaying indicia and a supplemental buoy-- ant means in immediate association With said sign.

l2. ln a sign, the combination of an inflatable body defining predetermined indicia, a facingfor said body having a surface area "corresponding to said body when inflated and arranged to support an illuminating means of corresponding outline.

13. In asign, thelcombination of an inflatable body defining predetermined indicia, a light Weight metallic facing for said body having a surface area corresponding to said body when inflated and arranged to support an .illuminating means of corresponding outline.

le. ln a sign, the combination of an inflatable body defining predetermined indicia, f

a facing for saidbody having a surface area corresponding to said body when inflated and a light Weight metallic structure for the assembly of a series of said bodies and facings Wherebythe facings are held in rigid relationship. y

l5. In a sign` the combination of an inflatable body defining predetermined indicia, a light weight metallic facing for said body having a surface area corresponding to said body When inflated, said facing arranged to support an illuminating means of corresponding outline and a light Weight metallic structure for the assembly of a series of said bodies and .facings 16. In a sign, the combination of an inflatable body defining predetermined indicia, a facing for said body having a surface area corresponding to said body when inflated and arranged to support an illuminating means therefor.

1?. An aerial exhibition device comprising a balloon of predetermined frontal contour, a facing member thereon of the same contour registering therewith and together creating a composite character of substantial depth.

18. An aerial exhibition device comprising a plurality of characters, means for securing them in predetermined relationship, and rearward balloon extensions of the same shape as the characters and extending a substantial distance rearwardly therefrom.

19. An aerial exhibition device comprising a plurality of characters, means for securing them in rigid predetermined relationship, and rearward balloon extensions of the same shape as the character and extending a substantial distance rearwardly therefrom, the respective balloon extensions being capable of slight swaying movement relative to their respective characters.

20. An aerial exhibition device comprising a balloon of substantial depth having a predetermined frontal contour., and a relatively shallo-w facing member thereon of the same contour registering therewith, in combination with illuminating means for the facing member, the depth of the balloon giving the en'ect of the facing'member shading olf rearwardly of the device.

21. in aerial exhibition device comprising a rigid face character and a supporting and depth-creating member therefor comprising a balloon constituting a rearward extension of the character and contoured in roeping therewith to present the appearance of a block formation.

22. An aerial exhibition device comprising a rigid face character and a supporting and depth-creating member therefor comprising a balloon constituting a rearward extension of the character and contoured in keeping therewith to present the appearance of a block formation, the rigid face character being provided with illuminating means.

28. An aerial exhibition device comprising a series of balloons shaped as letters of the alphabet, facing members therefor of corresponding shape, and means engaging the facing members ixedly securing them in predetermined relationship.

24. An aerial exhibition device comprising a supporting frame, characters mounted thereon, balloon extensions on the characters, and means associated with the supporting frame for confining the balloon extensions to a relatively restricted zone.

ing from the characters positioned in the Y frame, andmembers connected to the frame and positioning the balloon-like members.

26. An aerial exhibition device including a frame structure formed of longitudinally extending members and connecting end portions, characters positioned in and carried by the frame, said characters being formed to receive an illuminating element and constituting braces for opposite portions ofthe frame, and balloon-like members extending from the characters.

27. An aerial exhibition device including a frame structure formed of longitudinally extending members and connecting end portions, characters positionecL in and carried by the frame, said characters being formed to receive an illuminating element, balloon-like members extending from the characters, positioning members extending from the frame and extending around the rear faces of the balloon-like members, and positioning members connected to the first mentioned posiioning members and extending over and beneath the balloon-like members.

28. An aerial exhibition device comprising a display facing, means for holding the same in predetermined position to prevent relative flexure or displacement of any portion of said facing with reference to the re-v mainder thereof, buoyant means located in rear of said facing and in juxtaposition therewith, and a confining framework for saidbuoyant means maintaining the same in a Zone substantially aligned with the facing, the limits of said Zone being defined by the marginal edges of the facing.

29. An aerial exhibition device comprising display facing, means for holding the same in predetermined position to prevent relative idexure or displacement of any portion of said facing with reference to the remainder thereof, buoyant means located in rear of said facing and in juxtaposition therewith, and a confining framework for said buoyant means maintaining the same in a zone substantially aligned with the facing,

WENDELL C. KEENER. 

